Hyolyn's Sentiments

Among our cousins, Hyolyn has always been the one who disagrees with the thought of arranged marriages to the point that she threatened her parents she'd drink rat poison if ever they do that to her.

"I see that you only bought one suitcase, when will your other things be arriving? I had your room tidied and prepared." Hyolyn said with shimmering eyes.

"Thank you so much but I'd be staying only for tonight."

Hyolyn looked at me confused.

"Where will you be staying then?" She asked.

"As I expected, Dad has his own set of conditions, too." I sighed.

"Indeed, the fruit doesn't fall far from the grass." Hyolyn shook her head in disbelief.

"Far from the tree, Lyn." I corrected she just ignored it.

I continued. "He wants me to use his condo unit and that I should have a lady driver with me."

"That's because he knows how reckless you can be at times, Chley." Hyolyn said as she looked intently at her pink nails.

"Did you really have to mention that? It's kind of annoying because I feel like his eyes are still with me even if I'm far away." I let out a deep sigh.

"What would you expect from Uncle Regan? He has always been like that when it comes to his children ever since." Hyolyn said.

She continued, "But my dear cousin, of what use am I? As long as I am with you at the university, Uncle Regan will never know a thing. Trust me." Hyolyn said as she reached for my hand in assurance and winked.

I took her hand off mine and smiled. There is no way I would go to their university. The majority of the students are so full of themselves just because they are rich.

"I won't go to your school, Lyn. I told you that. I would not want that unnecessary attention from the kids. But I won't agree with Dad, I have a house given to me by my maternal grandparents. I will just stay there."

"OMG! Unnecessary- what? Why would you think about that, Unnie!" She exclaimed.

"It would surely be all over social media that you have a cousin at the same university as yours. May I remind you, Lyn, I will never appear in your vlogs." I warned her.

"Oh come on, Chley! This is soooo exciting. I mean, you are finally here! I can't wait to introduce you to my friends." Hyolyn said happily.

"Uhm don't you bring me to your over-the-top galas let alone your sudden party-throwing habits. You know I'm not the type." I warned her. I find it exhausting entertaining people at parties. I end up cursing them.

"Of course I won't bring you! I'm afraid you might eat my guests alive for being loud and wasted but just let me know if ever you change your mind. I am pretty sure you will not regret it." She winked again.

"Whatever," I said in surrender.

"But you do know that if not abroad, children of affluent families only attend South Dale University, right? South Dale University has always been exclusive for the children of families within the top .001 class of the country. So, where will you be studying then?" Hyolyn asked with raised eyebrows.

"Good question. This is the part where you could help me, Lyn. Dad and I fought about what university I should attend but as you know, I always have my way." I winked at her.

Hyolyn nodded immediately and, "As long as I can do it, I would do everything for you, Unnie!" She excitedly cheered.

I fixed my seat and put my hands together.

"First, no one should know that I am Regan Alcala's daughter." I firmly said.

Hyolyn nodded with a smile on her face as she did the "OK" sign along with a wink.

I smiled at the back of my mind. With regards to these things, I know too well that I can count on Hyolyn. With the immeasurable and wonderful connections of people got from being a vlogger, socialite, heiress, and with our family's massive influence all over the country, she got this high society at the back of her hand.

"Alright, number two," I said as I gesture two with my index and middle finger.

"As I don't want to attend South Dale University, I want you to give me a full scholarship under your family's company at Cebu Eastern University. You see, I quite did my own research on a student's perspective and I found out that your company gives out the best among the rest benefits for your scholars." I spoke.

Hyolyn leaned on her personalized pink chair (Way too different from the marble black and white dining set they have here) and crossed her arms. She has always been like this, wanting to stand up among the rest.

"Do you really want this, Unnie? I know too well that your family is more well-off than ours but aren't you being too harsh on yourself?" She said with a concerned look on her face.

I gave Hyolyn a reassuring smile.

"All my life Lyn, I have been pampered. By that, I want to experience life, the real-life and not to spend it with the boring four quarters of our house. I want to make friends on my own and not just some people Dad introduced me to. In short, I want to be independent and live life to the fullest while I am still young. I can't be forever relying on Dad, you know that." I told her wholeheartedly.

"Wow, all I can say is that I will help you in achieving your goals." Hyolyn sarcastically said.

Oftentimes, I would envy Hyolyn and her siblings. Their family is well-off but her parents are not as strict as mine. Uncle and Auntie let them enjoy their lives without controlling them. While I lived otherwise. I have been home-schooled and did not make any friends. I want to break that sad fate.

"Soooo, when will Kiyomi come here Chlea noona?" Colton said all of a sudden breaking the eerie silence between Hyolyn and Chlea. Noona is a Korean word used by boys to address an older girl.

Hyolyn and I both jolted out of our seats due to the surprise of seeing Colton innocently eating at the end of the long marble table. We sharply glared at Colton.